MTV: Teemu Pulkkinen is preparing for a transfer to the Liiga!

Finnish forward Teemu Pulkkinen wants to continue his career in his home country next season. The player, who has had a long international career, returned to Finland at the beginning of the current season and represented his hometown club Kiekko-Vantaa before later moving to Germany to Starbulls Rosenheim.

Now Pulkkinen has returned to Finland again and eyes are set on the upcoming season. Pulkkinen’s family grew during his time in Germany: he welcomed his fourth child, who is his first son.

– The goal for next season is to find a playing position in Finland and be closer to my family. Let’s see calmly what the summer and fall will bring, but the starting point is to stay in Finland to play, Pulkkinen says in an MTV Urheilu interview.

Pulkkinen still believes he can play at a high level and sees himself as a strong option for Liiga teams.

– Yes, I am a Liiga-level player. I have proven that throughout my career. Last season, I proved to myself that I can still play at a high level and score goals.

Pulkkinen played eight games for Kiekko-Vantaa, where he collected stats of 7+1=8. In Germany, he appeared in 29 DEL2 league regular season games and recorded 27 points (10 goals and 17 assists). In the playoffs, he played three games and scored five goals without any assists.

– There are many options for where a future position might be found. Yes, Mestis is also of interest.

However, Pulkkinen’s situation may be complicated by his previous career in the KHL, where he played during the war in Ukraine. The player has previously publicly apologized for his decision, but he is aware that it still affects clubs’ decisions.

– Clubs are cautious about it and think carefully about hiring. Next season will be a super season in Liiga. Clubs will certainly consider everything from a financial standpoint and otherwise, as they cannot afford to lose partners.

Pulkkinen says he has already said what he needed to regarding the KHL and has apologized.

– Of course, I cannot influence the decisions of any clubs, but I would hope that gradually the time would start to be right in that sense. I can only influence my own actions.